Groton military families worried about crime

Groton - Residents of a housing complex that serves mostly military families have called a meeting tonight to talk about bringing back a neighborhood watch because of suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

Balfour Beatty Communities distributed a flier calling for the meeting from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. today in the community management office at 100 Tern Road in Groton. Representatives of the housing group and Groton Town Police will attend.

Police Lt. John Varone said last week police received numerous inquiries about "unreported suspicious activity" or activities people were not reporting to police.

He said police had made arrests in the past two weeks, but nothing atypical.

"We're not seeing an unusual spike," he said.

Varone said police had investigated reports of "suspicious activity," but declined to discuss its nature and said police found nothing that connected one incident to another.

Balfour Beatty Communities manages a community of nine neighborhoods off Route 12 near Naval Submarine Base New London.

A representative of Balfour could not be reached Monday. But the agency posted on its New London Homes Facebook page: "In response to the recent inquiries about criminal activity in our community, we'd like to share some important information. Balfour Beatty Communities is working with the police on all concerns regarding suspicious activity in our neighborhoods."

The post said the housing group was working with police and encouraged residents to report suspicious activity and take safety precautions.

"Make sure the windows and doors in both your home and cars are locked, particularly when you are away from home and during the overnight hours," the post said.

A separate post - not from management - referred to items stolen from outside, attempted break-ins and a peeping Tom.

Groton police have six officers assigned to the area, Varone said.

He said anyone who sees suspicious or criminal activity should contact police.

"If you see someone lurking around your carport or your neighbor's carport, if you seeing someone peering in your neighbor's house? That's a 911 call," he said.